Support for victims of trafficking
Being deceived into coming or forced to work is being the victim of a crime. It is not your fault.
Warning signs
- The work is completely different from what was promised — told it was a restaurant, given other work
- Your passport or ARC has been taken
- You are told you can leave once the debt is paid — debt bondage
- You receive almost no wages
- You are watched or locked in so you cannot leave
- Your phone is taken or outside contact blocked
- You are forced into prostitution
- You are threatened with harm to your family
What you can do now
- If it is safe, call 112. Ask for interpretation ("interpretation", your language name).
- If you cannot speak, text 112. Location first.
- Call 1577-1366 — 13 languages, 24 hours. You can speak your own language.
- If you can escape, leave. Leave even without documents.
- You are connected to a shelter, even with nowhere to go.
What victims receive
- Safe shelter
- Medical and psychological support
- Legal support and interpretation
- Immigration assistance — arrangements for victim protection can be considered
- Repatriation support — if you wish
Where to go
- 112 police (emergency; text reporting works)
- 1577-1366 Danuri Helpline (13 languages, 24 hours)
- 1366 women's emergency line
- 1350 Ministry of Employment and Labor (forced labour, wages)
- 132 Korea Legal Aid Corporation
- Your country's embassy
- Local support centres for foreign workers and migrant rights groups
Questions people ask
I am undocumented. Protecting trafficking and forced labour victims comes first. Get advice first through 1577-1366 or a support organisation.
I can't leave because of a debt. Holding a person over a debt is illegal. Often the debt itself is the instrument of the crime.
I paid a broker a large sum. Forcing you to work because of that money is also a crime. Describe exactly what happened.
Will reporting get me deported? There are victim protection procedures. Do not decide alone — ask 1577-1366 or 132 first.
Take care
This is not a labour dispute — it is a crime. Escape becomes harder as time passes. If you can safely call right now, dial 112 or 1577-1366. If speaking is impossible, text 112.
Related
forced-labor · passport-confiscation · dv-shelter · migrant-women-shelter
Source
Ministry of Gender Equality and Family www.mogef.go.kr / Korean National Police Agency www.police.go.kr / As of 2026-08